Market research

Paper and paperboard waste market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The paper and paperboard waste market in Eastern Africa expanded from 114.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 132.1 thousand tons in 2019. This initial growth was supported by Asia Pulp & Paper's investments in water treatment and sustainable wood sourcing, which enhanced the industry's environmental capacity. Concurrently, rising e-commerce demand for packaging materials increased the need for paper waste in recycling, while the emergence of new paper recycling companies further stimulated market activity.

Market volume surged to 188.7 thousand tons in 2020, primarily due to a sharp rise in imports to 84.9 thousand tons. However, a sharp contraction followed in 2021, with the market falling to 113.2 thousand tons as imports dropped and exports increased. Production remained stable at around 136.9 thousand tons from 2021 onward.

From 2022, the market recovered, reaching 143.9 thousand tons in 2023. In 2022, supply chain disruptions and higher production costs doubled tissue paper prices in Kenya, reflecting broader market pressures. The expansion of eco-friendly recycled paper segments and confidential document destruction services indicated market diversification. By 2024, industry leaders called for stronger waste paper collection systems, while major producers like Pan Paper Mills faced ongoing operational challenges.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production paper and paperboard waste in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Eastern Africa produced 131.9 thousand tonnes of paper and paperboard waste, showing a modest 2.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The smallest change occurred in 2018, with essentially no movement.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	-	-	2.3%	0.8%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Eastern Africa's paper and paperboard waste production value has declined for three straight years. In 2020, the output was valued at 11,732 thousand US dollars, marking a 13.4% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 36.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 14.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.7%)	(23.9%)	(13.4%)	(14.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Eastern Africa have decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 28,074 tonnes, down 11.8% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 24.9%, with an average annual reduction of 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.3%)	(14.6%)	(11.8%)	(9.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, India, and Pakistan were the main destinations for Eastern Africa's paper and paperboard waste exports by volume. South Africa accounted for 40.3% of exports, India for 34.7%, and Pakistan for 2.7%, together making up 77.6% of total export volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Paper and paperboard waste exports from Eastern Africa in value terms have fallen for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports were valued at 2,498 thousand US dollars, a 25.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value dropped by 53.4%, with an average annual decline of 22.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.9%)	(35.0%)	(25.4%)	(22.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India, South Africa, and Pakistan were the largest contributors to Eastern Africa's paper and paperboard waste exports by value. India represented 42.9% of export value, South Africa 29.5%, and Pakistan 3.2%, collectively accounting for 75.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Paper and paperboard waste imports into Eastern Africa have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, import volume reached 84,936 tonnes, surging 142.1% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 690%, with an average annual increase of 99.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	115.0%	51.8%	142.1%	99.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea were the primary suppliers of paper and paperboard waste to Eastern Africa by volume. India accounted for 42.7% of imports, the UAE for 11.5%, and South Korea for 7.2%, together representing 61.4% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

There were notable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Import volumes varied 2.9 times from the low in 2017 to the high in 2019. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported approximately 4,710 thousand US dollars of paper and paperboard waste, down 47.8% from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 9,023 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 74.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	74.5%	65.6%	(47.8%)	14.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, imports of paper and paperboard waste into Eastern Africa in value terms were widely distributed across markets. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 21.5% of import value, South Korea for 14.3%, and South Africa for 9.0%, together making up only 44.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io